the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
year of mercy
Inside
Proclamation heralds start of a year of kindness Page 3
vol. 60 no. 17
st. nicholas event
59th annual celebration in honor of the Wonderworker Pages 4 & 5
sunday december 20, 2015
young artists Entries into the 2015 St. Nicholas Creativity Contest Pages 2, 6 & 7
NATIVITY of our LORD
2015 A J
nd the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. ohn testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me. From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.’” (John 1:14-18)
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! We once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the City of Bethlehem! We gather together to remember the greatest gift by the Father of his only begotten Son. Following His example and the example of the three Kings we give one another gifts in honor of God’s grace and truth. Little children wait for Christmas with the hope of receiving gifts. From their parents they learn to give gifts in return to family and friends. Each gift given reminds us of the great gift of the Father to us. And each time that we help someone we change, becoming a little closer to the image and likeness of God. The Christmas gifts we give and receive are small compared to the gifts of forgiveness and mercy. The Father chose to announce the Good News of our Salvation through the birth of a little child in a cave. Jesus grew in wisdom and knowledge before he would explain the new way to live. Jesus’s deeper explanation of divine grace and truth would build upon the Old Covenant between the Lord and the people of Israel. The Easter Gospel of Saint John describes the birth of Jesus and the fuller revelation as receiving grace upon grace. In this Christmas during the Jubilee of Year of Mercy, we are called to share God’s grace with one another. If able, we are called to pass through the Doors of Mercy either in Rome or at our Cathedral during the year as a sign of our need to receive and to give mercy to one another. Pope Francis encourages us “You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.” Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
BCW to adopt monthly publication UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289 Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Serving parish communities in central and western Pennsylvania, Louisiana, eastern Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia Published every third Sunday (17 issues) by: Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org Archbishop William C. Skurla President Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM Copy Editor Darlene Fejka Layout / Graphics Donna Obsincs Subscription/Circulation Manager Gregory S. Popivchak Business Manager Annual Subscription Rates US $12 Canadian $14 International $16 Periodicals Postage Paid at Pittsburgh, PA
Postmaster: send address changes to: The Byzantine Catholic World ATTN: Donna 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214
In an effort to keep The BCW affordable for both subscribers and the publisher, Archbishop William, President of the Byzantine Catholic Press Associates, has made the decision to adopt a monthly publication schedule for The Byzantine Catholic World newspaper. With a decreased hard copy subscriber base (the number of parish and individual subscriptions has decreased with the advent and popularity of electronic news, and many now prefer to receive The BCW electronically), it now has become critical to either significantly increase the hard-copy subscription rate in order to continue delivering 17 issues of The BCW, or decrease the number of issues produced annually with a modest subscription price increase. The basic per-subscription price necessary to cover the ever-increasing expense of producing, printing, and mailing the newspaper every three weeks (17 issues) would be well over $20, a price which would be a financial burden to both parishes and individual subscribers. Therefore, The BCW now will be published monthly (12 issues) with two special editions for the major holy days of Pascha (Easter) and Nativity (Christmas), for a total of 14 hard-copy issues and electronic updates annually. The new subscription price will be $14, and will take effect with the July 2016 issue, which is the beginning of the new fiscal year, and following the 61st anniversary of the June 1955 establishing of the Archeparchy’s official newspaper. In addition to this published notification, current subscribers, both parish and individual, who wish to continue receiving The BCW via postal mail also will be reminded of this increase and publication schedule change when their annual subscription is up for renewal.
Submission deadlines also will change to the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication. Hence, the submission deadline for all materials will begin June 15, 2016 for the July 2016 issue. The remaining 8 issues on the 17-issues-annually schedule through June 2016 will be: Issue Date Submission Deadline Jan. 17 Jan. 5 Feb. 7 (Great Fast issue) Jan. 26 Feb 28 Feb. 16 Mar 20 (Pascha issue) Mar. 8 April 10 Mar. 29 May 1 Apr. 19 May 22 May 10 May 31 June 12 Then as of July 2016, The BCW will be published monthly:
Submission Deadline Issue Date July 2016 June 15 August 2016 July 15 September 2016 Aug. 15 October 2016 Sept. 15 November 2016 Oct. 15 December 2016 Nov. 15 Special Christmas issue Dec. 5 (January 2017)
Dec. 15
This revised schedule results in 15 total issues which will be published in 2016. As of January 2017, the publication will produce 14 issues annually. For GUIDELINES and SUBSCRIPTION information, visit www.archpitt.org/news/bcwinfo.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 2nd Tuesday before publication date (12 days prior).
The Byzantine Catholic World is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
Meet the artists! Below are images of the St. Nicholas Creativity Contest entrants who submitted photos of themselves for publication. See pages 6 and 7 for a gallery of all entries and winners. n
mission The mission of The Byzantine
Catholic World is to spread
KADEN Bush
NATHANAEL Kline II
BRENT Kolesar
CHRISTOPHER Krofcheck
LINDSAY Krofcheck
VID Mares
CARMELLA Rippole
NICHOLAS Rippole
RAY Rippole
JACKSON Rusinko
JULIA Rusinko
JULIANA Uhrlen
KAYLA Uhrlen
the Gospel message in the rich tradition of the Byzantine Catholic Church; to encourage faithful to reflect the image of Christ in everyday activities of life; to offer spiritual formation through changing times; and to celebrate community among Byzantine Catholics in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, throughout the Metropolitan Church in America, and around the world.
the byzantine catholic world
CARTER Vos
MADDOX Young
SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
PAGE 3
PROCLAMATION
CASP responds to refugee crisis in Middle East, Europe
for the Jubilee Year of Mercy
faithful urged to respond with mercy
The Jubilee Year of Mercy officially began Dec. 8 – the Feast of the Maternity of Holy Anna (Immaculate Conception) – when Pope Francis opened a Holy Door of Saint Peter Basilica in Rome. Upon encouragement from the Holy Father, bishops around the world also have opened their own Holy Door of Mercy. In the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Archbishop William opened the Holy Door of Mercy Sunday Dec. 13 at the Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. with this proclamation:
from Christian Associates of Southwest Pennslvania Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister
“Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.” – Matthew 2:13-15 As an infant, Jesus and his family fled their homeland in search of safety. Today, as we watch millions of people escaping war, persecution, and despair in the Middle East and Northern Africa, we recognize our Lord and Savior in their plight. Our faith compels us to meet human needs and to respond with compassion to those who suffer, regardless of their faith or background. As this greatest migration since the Second World War continues, Christians hear our responsibility in the words of the Law, which demands that “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33-34). Meeting the challenge of this current crisis will require interfaith cooperation and the united commitment of governments, nonprofit agencies, and faith communities. Though Southwest Pennsylvania is thousands of miles from Damascus, Mosul, Kabul, or Asmara, we acknowledge the role that our churches and our elected leaders can play, and we encourage them to respond.
On December 13, 2015, in communion with our Holy Father Francis, Pope of Rome, I solemnly proclaim a Jubilee of Mercy in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, by the opening of this Holy Door at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Munhall, Pennsylvania. In union with the Holy Father, I urge all the faithful of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh to seek the graces this Holy Year offers, through passing through these doors, prayer, sacramental confession of their sins, the worthy reception of Holy Communion and a renewed dedication to the practice of mercy in their daily lives. Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh
We urge our member congregations:
Nick Havrilla, Sr.
from left: Deacon Tim Corbett, Metropolitan William, Marty Bovee, Father Andrew Deskevich, Father Dennis Bogda open the Door of Mercy at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral Sunday, Dec. 13.
From Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (no. 2): “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and peace. Our salvation depends on it. Mercy: the word reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Mercy: the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us. Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness.” More information about the Jubilee Year of Mercy may be found online at http://wwwmigrate.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/ new-evangelization/jubilee-of-mercy/
• To pray for the safety and well-being of all refugees and for an end to persecution and war. • To contribute to agencies such as Catholic Relief Services, International Orthodox Christian Charities, Church World Service, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service that are providing direct support to refugees in the Middle East and Europe. • To participate in the work of refugee resettlement agencies already at work in our region as they welcome refugees from many nations. We urge our elected officials: • To continue to expand the number of refugees accepted by the United States. While we are encouraged that the White House has promised to welcome 10,000 Syrians and a total of 85,000 refugees from all nations in the coming fiscal year, we join with many humanitarian organizations to recommend accepting at least 100,000 refugees from the Middle East and Northern Africa, without reducing the number of refugees accepted from other parts of the world. We pledge to work with our member congregations and partner agencies to welcome an appropriate number of these refugees who can be successfully integrated into our communities. We pledge to assist these refugees with resources necessary for their successful resettlement, including housing, health care, employment, education, and citizenship, with consideration given to their specific religious needs. • To support the Protecting Religious Minorities Persecuted by ISIS Act of 2015, which will offer expedited refugee services to those, including our fellow Christians, who are in special danger from the so-called Islamic State. • To take steps to resolve ongoing conflicts, followed by economic re-development in the affected nations, in order to end the root causes of migration. Through our collective work and witness, we pray that all of us will one day hear the words promised in Jesus’ parable: “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for … I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:34-35). n
Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania (CASP) is one of the most outstanding regional ecumenical agencies in the United States. Founded in 1970, the organization includes 26 church bodies (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant) representing 2,000 local congregations and 1,000,000 Christians in the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland. Visit www.casp.org for more information.
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
2015 St. Nicholas event: celebrating 59 years of charity
by Darlene Fejka
The 59th Annual St. Nicholas Celebration was held Sunday, December 6 – the Feast of Saint Nicholas – at St. John the Baptist Cathedral and Center in Munhall, Pa. Co-sponsored by the Greek Catholic Union and the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, proceeds from the event benefit the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius. The afternoon and evening of festivity began with a Moleben to our Holy Father Nicholas the Wonderworker, presided over by Archbishop William. Cathedral Rector Father Dennis M. Bogda was the celebrant, with Deacon Timothy Corbett and assistentia from the Seminary. Seminary faculty member Father Christiaan Kappes was the homilist; Seminary vocal instructor Coreen Poklembo led responses. Following the moleben, event patrons filed into the Cathedral Center, where they were greeted at the door with seasonal choral selections by the Archieparchial Choir. The banquet hall was alive from wall to wall with a Powerpoint slideshow of past St. Nicholas events, a gallery of 64 entries into the St. Nicholas Creativity Contest, a table of information about the Seminary, tables with icons for purchase, an entire wall of tables with religious gifts from the Byzantine Seminary Press, and a display of seven outstanding “Silent Auction” items and a “Mystery Bag” promotion. Patrons enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while the children in attendance were treated to a special “Kids Corner” 59 years continued on page 5 the byzantine catholic world
SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
PAGE 5
59 years
continued from page 4
Event photography by Nick Havrilla, Sr.
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activity led by BCW columnist Sandy Simko (see page 8 for story). Master of Ceremonies Christopher Singel kept a smooth flow for the evening, as he called guests to be seated and began the dinner program, which included a welcome address by Seminary Rector Father Robert Pipta and a bigscreen slideshow featuring biographies of the current seminarians. GCU President George Juba took the podium and reminisced about his early memories of attending the St. Nicholas Charity Dinner before he presented Archbishop William with the fraternal organization’s annual contribution to the Seminary, which this year totaled $100,000. Before inviting Keynote speaker Sister Kathleen Hutsko, SSMI to the podium, Chris Singel announced the winners of the St. Nicholas Creativity Contest (see pages 6 and 7 for a gallery of all winners and entries) and welcomed St. Nicholas (the Cathedral’s Marty Bovee) who greeted the children in attendance and presented them with a memento. Sister Kathleen brought the program to a close as she focused on the event theme “Family: Foundation of Consecrated Life” and captivated the audience with her easygoing storytelling style. (A special column featuring Sister Kathleen’s presentation will be featured in the Jan. 17, 2016 BCW in observance of the Feb. 2 conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life). Following the announcement of the seven winners of the Silent Auction, Emcee Singel turned over his microphone to Deacon Joseph Wargacki, a seminarian from Seattle, Wash., to deliver the invocation. Archbishop William imparted his blessing over the meal, and the gala evening concluded with dinner enhanced table-totable serenading by the Continental Dukes. The Greek Catholic Union, the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Byzantine Catholic Seminary and the St. Nicholas Celebration Committee thank everyone involved with this 2015 event who helped in any way to ensure its success. n
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
Creativity Contest 2015 The St. Nicholas Celebration Committee received artwork and writing entries into the 2015 St. Nicholas Creativity contest from 64 young parishioners in grades Pre-K through 10 from 14 churches within the Archeparchy, including five in Ohio, eight in Pennsylvania and one in West Virginia. Prize-winning coloring, art or writing entries along with runners-up were selected from each of six age divisions: Pre-K & K (coloring & art); 1 & 2 (coloring & art); 3 & 4 (coloring & art); 5-6-7 (art & writing); 8 & 9 (art & writing); 10-11-12 (art & writing) via a “blind” consensus of the Committee, and were judged on a number of criteria such as neatness, completeness, creativity, and for following the contest guidelines and theme of “Saint Nicholas and the Spirit of Giving.” The top winners receive a $25 gift card.
The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Greek Catholic Union and the St. Nicholas Celebration Committee thank the pastors, ECF coordinators, parents and children of the participating parishes for taking part in this creative activity!
Brady Bandik (4) gr. 4
Entries below and on the facing page are arranged alphabetically. The parish of each participant is indicated by number in (parentheses) next to each participant’s name and grade (see key below). WINNERS in each group appear in GREEN. 1st Runner-up in each category is denoted by a blue circle; 2nd Runner-up in each category is denoted by a gold circle. All entries also were displayed at the Dec. 6 St. Nicholas Celebration at St. John the Baptist Cathedral Center in Munhall, Pa. (1) Infant Jesus of Prague - Boardman, Ohio; (2) St. Michael - Campbell, Ohio; (3) Holy Ghost - McKees Rocks, Pa.; (4) St. John the Baptist Cathedral - Munhall, Pa.; (5) St. Gregory - Upper St. Clair, Pa.; (6) SS. Peter & Paul - Warren, Ohio; (7) St. Mary - Youngstown, Ohio; (8) St. Nicholas - Youngstown, Ohio; (9) St. Mary Assumption - Weirton, W.Va.; (10) St. John the Baptist - Pitsburgh (Southside), Pa.; (11) Holy Trinity - Sykesville, Pa.; (12) St. Elias - Munhall, Pa.; (13) Church of the Ascension - Clairton, Pa.; (14) Nativity of the Mother of God - DuBois, Pa.
WINNER - writing
Lauren Bero (8) gr. 5
Sarah Bero (8) gr. 3
grades 5-6-7
Frank Bero (8) gr. 7
Alexandra Bisel (6) gr. 6
Makayla Boes (5) gr. 2
1st Runnerup
Makayla Brown (2) gr. 1
Kaden Bush (11) gr. 3
1st Runnerup
Macala Blake (6) gr. 9 Evan Bisel (6) gr. 10
1st Runnerup
Daniel N. Byers (6) K
Kayleigh Cruz (2) K
Alexi Elbon (6) gr. 3
Rebecca Falatic (6) gr. 3
Marissa Gilga (11) gr. 1
John Heddleston (4) gr. 4
grades 8 & 9
WINNER - Art
Michaela Douglas (6) gr. 8
Lauren Hymes (2) gr. 5
Keith Fatula (14) gr. 8 WINNER - Writing grades 8 & 9
Gregory Hymes (2) gr. 2
WINNER - Coloring grades Pre-K & K
Christopher Krofcheck (5) gr. 1
Ethan James (7) gr. 5
Brent Kolesar (13) gr. 4
Abigail Krysynski (4) gr. 4
read his essay on page 9
Caydence Golias (6) gr. 5
2nd Runnerup
Nate Kline II (9) gr. K
Lindsay Krofcheck (5) gr. K the byzantine catholic world
Jack Krysynski (4) gr. 1
SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
PAGE 7
WINNER - Coloring
Morgan Lewis (1) gr. 3
Laken Lashinsky (11) gr. 4
grades 2 & 3
McKenna Lewis (1) gr. 1
Kendall Lashinsky (11) gr. 1
Sean Kusky (2) gr. 2
Vid Mares (10) Pre-K
WINNER - Coloring grades 3 & 4
1st Runnerup
Emma Morris (2) gr. 4 2nd Runnerup
Elizabeth Osuagwu (4) gr. 2 Leighna Mitulinski (2) K
Aidan Munsie (4) gr. 4
Katie Morris (2) gr. 3
Olivia Milligan (12) gr. 3
grades 3 & 4
WINNER - Art
Ray Rippole (3) gr. 6
1st Runnerup 1st Runnerup
1st Runnerup
Sophia Rivera (1) gr. 4
Jackson Rusinko (5) gr. 1
Julia Rusinko (5) gr. 1
Nicholas Rippole (3) gr. 3
Carmella Rippole (3) gr. 1
Ivan Lindberg (2) gr. 3
grades 10-11-12
WINNER - Art
Honorable Mention - writing
2nd Runnerup
2nd Runnerup
Victoria Smolak (6) gr.10 Addy Stromock (5) gr. 2 Also Honorable Mention for writing - see page 5
WINNER - Art
Nathan Simko (4) gr. 2
grades 5-6-7
grades 1 & 2
WINNER - Art
Katarina Rodriques (6) gr. 10
Isabella Sferra (2) gr. 4
Madelyn Sawtelle (11) gr. 1
2nd Runnerup
Kayla Uhrlen (5) gr. 6 Landon Turner (6) gr.3
Kristalin Vinion (2) gr. 2
Juliana Uhrlen (5) gr. 3
Aubrey Vokish (2) Pre-K
Carter Vos (11) gr. 3
Gabrielle Woodyard (6) gr. 2 Emma Woodyard (6) gr. 7
Sophia Walters (11) gr. K
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Evan Welton (1) gr. 1
Maddox Young (11) gr. 2
PAGE 8
SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
Activity
Corner
St. Nicholas Word Search! Read the story of St. Nicholas . . . the 27 CAPITALIZED letters in the story are included in the grid below and in 3 columns under the grid. Cross off each word as you circle it in the grid. Words appear forward, backward, horizontally (side to side), vertically (up & down), and diagonally.
Nicholas the Saintly by Sandy Simko
Long ago and far away across the SEA in the land now called TURKEY, a baby BOY was born. His name would be NICHOLAS. His parents THEOPHANES and NONNA loved Nicholas very much and shared their love of GOD with their only child. In their city, a terrible sickness spread to many people. Nicholas’ parents became very ill and died, leaving their son with his UNCLE, who also was named Nicholas and was a BISHOP in the Church. Nicholas was very fortunate - his EDUCATION and DEVOTION to God continued with the HELP of his uncle. Nicholas grew into an adult and became a PRIEST, then following in his uncle’s footsteps became the Bishop of MYRA, and finally became a SAINT. The name Nicholas is KNOWN around the WORLD! HUNDREDS of CHURCHES claim him as their PATRON and are NAMED after him. What made Nicholas so special? He was KIND, LOVED the people especially the CHILDREN, SHARED his wealth with the needy people, loved God and his Church and was considered a WONDERWORKER for the MIRACLES he performed. n
Kids Corner LIVE!
KIND
PRIEST
BOY
KNOWN
SAINT
CHILDREN
LOVED
SEA
CHURCHES
MIRACLES
SHARED
DEVOTION
MYRA
THEOPHANES
EDUCATION
NAME
TURKEY
GOD
NICHOLAS
UNCLE
HELP
NONNA
WONDERWORKER
HUNDREDS
PATRON
WORLD
SEE ANSWER KEY ON PAGE 10.
Create your own St. Nicholas stick puppet! Be sure to mark your 2016 calendar for next year’s Saint Nicholas Celebration and come join in the fun! n
Nick Havrilla, Sr.
On Sunday, December 6, the Feast of Saint Nicholas was celebrated in churches throughout the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. For the 59th year in a row, the grandest celebration of this feast was co-sponsored by the Archeparchy and the Greek Catholic Union for the benefit of our Byzantine Catholic Seminary, where men study to become priests. A Kids Corner activity was led by Mrs. Sandy and Deacon Paul Simko, where children who attended the event at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral Center in Munhall, Pa. participated in making Saint Nicholas stick puppets and glitter ornaments. The boys and girls had a lot of fun in the Kids Corner!
BISHOP
Visit online at www.archpitt. org/KidsCorner to download two color pages to print (best on white card stock, but regular paper will do, too) and cut out to assemble a St. Nicholas stick puppet! You’ll need the 2 pages of puppet pieces, safety scissors, a flat stick (such as a wide “popsicle” stick or tongue depressor), color markers to add decoration, and glue or glue stick. Be creative! When you’re done playing with your puppet, you may wish to attach a string loop at the top and hang it on your Christmas tree. Make sure to put your name and the year on the back for memory’s sake!
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parish news SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
PAGE
Lessons of mercy and giving what the holiday season is all about
9
Giving, thanks in USC by Father Valerian Michlik, pastor
thanksgiving at st. gregory church
by Keith Fatula
When you think of giving, one of the first people that will pop into your mind is Saint Nicholas. His giving spirit has survived generation after generation through many legends and stories. One legend says that during a terrible famine, a malicious butcher lured three little children into his house, where he killed them, placing their remains in a barrel to cure, planning to sell them off as ham. Saint Nicholas, visiting the region to care for the hungry, not only saw through the butcher’s horrific crime but also resurrected the three boys from the barrel by his prayers. This story embodies Saint Nicholas’ giving spirit very well. Saint Nicholas’ giving spirit is shown in many ways. The first is when he resurrected the boys from the barrels. He gave these children a second chance after being manipulated by the evil butcher. He showed mercy for them by praying for them to be resurrected. His spirit of giving shines through in this story [and] in other places too. The other example of Saint Nicholas’ giving spirit is his visiting a foreign land during a famine. He multiplied the wheat on the ship heading to Egypt to allow the town to eat for two years. This shows he cares very much for people in need. This shows how much he loves to help others. He gave many things to these people and children such as time, assistance, and care in their time of need. Another legend tells that when Saint Nicholas was making a journey to the Holy Land, he dreamt of an approaching storm. He warned the sailors, but told them that God would help them. The wind made it impossible to keep the ship under control.
A sailor climbed the mast to hold the ropes. He fell to the deck and died. Nicholas prayed and the storm stopped, but the sailors were still mourning the loss of their comrade. Nicholas prayed over the man and he was revived, like he had been asleep. Many know of Santa Claus and his spirit of giving, but everyone knows that it truly began with Saint Nicholas. Many people today continue the tradition of putting shoes at their doors for a gift from Saint Nicholas. This was from the many stories of him giving to children throughout time. You cannot think of giving without thinking of Saint Nicholas’ generous spirit. Saint Nicholas not only gave gifts, but also prayers and mercy to those in need. This truly is what the holiday season is all about. It is not always about material gifts but instead, how you treat others. When thinking of giving, remember what Saint Nicholas said: “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”n
On Sunday Nov. 22, St. Gregory’s Eastern Christian Formation students were busy with activities in preparation for Thanksgiving Day. Our younger students enjoyed a children’s Thanksgiving story followed by a “Pin the Hat on the Turkey” game. Together with their parents, the children also prepared Thanksgiving cards for all our retired priests, religious sisters and homebound in our parish family. As part of their Thanksgiving class, St. Gregory’s ByzanTEENS took part in a prosphora baking workshop during which they learned the method of making this special offering bread. Each student had the opportunity to make their own prosphora that they would share with their loved ones as our nation under God would celebrate Thanksgiving Day. This workshop was a success as we learned that bread is used not only to represent Jesus who is the “Bread of Life,” but also to express the offering of our life to God. photos: Jodi Hernandez
‘giving tuesday’ at the table
“Giving Tuesday” has become a global day dedicated to giving back, a day to celebrate generosity, and a day to support those people and organizations dedicated to making our communities more vibrant. On Giving Tuesday 2015 (Dec. 1), St. Gregory’s parishioners were back serving dinner at “The Table,” a community kitchen with a heart to serve the South Side community of Pittsburgh. We are happy to be part of this ministry, which offers these unique community meals that continue to bring people together.
pastor, cookie sale patrons thankful Keith Fatula is a parishioner of Nativity of the Mother of God parish in DuBois, Pa. The 8th grader’s essay was a winner in the 2015 St. Nicholas Creativity Contest.
On Saturday morning Dec. 5, six hundred dozen of cookies, prepared by our dedicated faithful, were spread across the tables of St. Gregory Church hall for the 2015 “Taste of Heaven” Cookie Sale. We had a great crowd of patrons who were very happy with (and thankful for) the great variety of cookies offered this year. Over and over again it was confirmed by many patron that this is the best cookie sale that they attend. We are thankful to all involved for making this event a great success! photos: Jennifer T. Kehm
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY view liturgical services (various times) streamed LIVE online at: St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org St. John Chrysostom Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.sjcbcc.com
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
GOD IS MERCY AND COMPASSION As human beings, we reach out to transcendence, to the bounds of infinity. As creatures with a spirit, we can reach out and see and understand and grasp the vastness of the universe and stand in praise of its Creator. We have spoken of God, and what we know about God. We know that it is rational to believe that there is a basis for all that is, and that it is unconditional being and personal. We call him God, though the name he revealed to us is “I am,” for, as finite beings, we cannot comprehend that which is infinite, except insofar as he reveals himself to us. In the end, it is actually logically easier to believe in God’s existence than in our own, except, of course, that we experience our own selves because of the nature of our being, though, in reality, God is closer to us than we are to ourselves. However, it is also obvious that there is no logical reason that we should be here. The mere fact that we were born is the result of millions upon millions of coincidences that made us a unique human being. For example, in 1903 there was a landslide that destroyed much of the town of Frank, Alberta. My grandfather had lived there but moved a couple of months before the landslide. If he had not moved, I would not be here today to write this article. So it is true for all of us. God is necessary being, we are unnecessary. How can we explain our existence in any rational way? In reality, it can be only because of the love that God has for
Word Search solution (page 8)
creation. How else can we explain the infinite creating the finite? God is all in all in himself. He has no need of us, yet he has created us, the infinite giving rise to the finite. Sometimes agnostics will point to the vastness of the universe and say, “How can one being create all of this?” They fail to understand that it matters not to
This is one of the goals of God’s love: to bring us together. God, whether there is a universe of billions of light-years or a grain of sand, to him it is all finite. Our Lord taught, “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge” (Matthew 10:29). The infinite can create the finite only out of an infinite love for his creation. Indeed, God loves every creature and every one with an infinite love. We use love here in the sense of “wanting the best for the other.” God’s will is that every creature be itself to the fullness of its potentiality. This is not an emotional or sentimental love, for God is spirit, not material flesh. As St. John wrote, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God’s love is the prototype (the ultimate model) for all created love. However, this love reveals itself in the incarnate Christ, as Jesus reveals it to the rich young man who asked what he must do
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to inherit eternal life, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him ... ” (Mark 10:21). This was not what our culture usually calls love, which is sexual attraction, but the incarnation of God’s love in our Lord. We have observed that we do not really come to God through logical reasoning, but through experience. What is true for the individual is also true for all the people as a community. God’s love for us is not only as individuals but as a people together. This is one of the goals of God’s love: to bring us together. Jesus taught, “I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one” (John 17:22). The human race as a whole has experienced God’s love for us. In salvation history, we see this first in the story of Abraham. In Genesis 15, we read the story: “Sometime afterward, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not fear, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” Abram complained that he had no heirs, and only a servant would inherit his property. Then God “took him outside and said: ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so, he added, will your descendants be’” (Genesis 15:1.5). God fulfilled his promise and made Abraham the father of a great nation. Moses also experienced the love of God for his people. We have already described how God revealed his name to Moses. This was in connection with a loving promise: “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their cry against their taskmasters, so I know well what they are suffering.
Therefore I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them up from that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey”(Exodus 3:7-8). God did not only reveal his name, “I am,” but on Mt. Sinai, he revealed another name, “The Lord came down in a cloud and stood with him (Moses) there and proclaimed the name, ‘Lord.’ So the Lord passed before him and proclaimed: ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity’” (Exodus 34:5-6). God’s mercy and compassion remained the theme of God’s revelation. We see this particularly in the Psalms. Psalm 135 (Hebrew 136) has as its constant refrain: “for his love endures forever.” The Hebrew word used is “hesed,” which has a rich meaning of “merciful loving-kindness.” In Greek, this psalm is called the “polyeleos,” which means “full of mercy,” since the word is repeated so many times. It is used in the Liturgy as the key psalm for great feastdays, likewise called “polyeleos feasts,” “feasts full of mercy.” Psalm 102 (Hebrew 103), proclaims, “The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry forever. He does not treat us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our faults.” (vv. 8-10) All of God’s love was to be incarnate in our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom St. John writes, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). n
Cantor Institute Programs new year, new focus on chant
In the coming year, the Metropolitan Cantor Institute will focus on revitalizing chant in our parishes, developing new cantors, and providing education and encouragement for those who could serve as cantors, but for whatever reason currently do not do so. The Cantor Institute also plans to offer classes at new locations throughout the Archeparchy, beginning in February. For more information, watch for the next issue of the Byzantine Catholic World, or go to the new Cantor Institute website, www.mci.archpitt.org. n
the byzantine catholic world
SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
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Brother Felix, OFM
Father Richard Whetstone
Anthony Nowakowski was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on November 2, 1945, to Stanislaus and Jean Ann (Krajczynski) Nowakowski. He was baptized at St. Hedwig Parish, Erie, on November 18, 1945. He completed his elementary education at St. Hedwig School, Erie, in 1959 and in May of that same year, applied to St. Joseph School for Brothers and was accepted for the fall semester, completing his studies in 1963. Before entering the novitiate, Anthony worked on the Assumption BVM Friary farm for one year, a work he was to return to several times during his early religious life. Anthony entered the novitiate at Queen of Peace Friary, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he received his religious name of “Felix.” He made his first profession on April 15, 1965, and his solemn profession on August 15, 1968, in the hands of Dacian Bluma, OFM, Minister Provincial. From 1965 to 1968, Felix worked on the farm at Christ the King Seminary, West Chicago, Ill. When the seminary closed in 1970, Felix remained for one more year with three other friars who maintained the property. In 1971, he moved St. Pius X Friary in Philadelphia, Pa. to work in maintenance at Archbishop Ryan High School for Boys and returned there after a year of service to St. Francis Friary, Burlington from 1972 to 1973. St. Pius X Friary was to be his home for the next thirty-five years. Brother Felix was first appointed assistant director of maintenance and later director of Archbishop Ryan High School’s sprawling complex of buildings and grounds. During his years there, Felix devoted himself to his duties, responding many times to situations when they occurred whether it was in the morning, noon or night. Those who knew Brother Felix would say that he was not a lover of the spotlight. His life was the community, his family in Erie and his work. In addition, he quietly served as a guide and sponsor for individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol. Few people knew that he answered calls in the night and spent many hours speaking with people in their most desperate hour of need. When the Friars made the
Very Rev. Richard J. Whetstone JCOL, 72, fell asleep in the Lord Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, at Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown, Pa. Father Richard was born June 15, 1943, a son of James A. Sr. and Marguerite Chicase Whetstone. A 1961 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School he pursued higher education at Kent State and Youngstown State universities, and earned a Master Degree in Counseling. He subsequently entered the Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. and was ordained in May of 1983. Father Richard went on to study at the Pontifical Oriental Institution of the Gregorian University in Rome, where he graduated magna cum laude in Licentiatus in Juris Canonico in Orientali in 1987. His first assignment was at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Warren. Other assignments in the greater Pittsburgh area followed, including St. Stephen Church in North Huntingdon and St. Mary Church in Herminie (1992-95) and St. John the Baptist in Uniontown (1995-2001). Father Richard was bi-ritual and served two years at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Poland within in the Youngstown, Ohio Diocese. He also served on the Bishop’s Conference of Secret Archive and was a judicial vicar for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh’s Tribunal Office. He also served on the Metropolitan Canon Law Commission, was the Archeparichial Vicar for Canonical Services, and was a member of the Committee for Statues and the Presbyteral Council. Father Richard’s Canon Law activities included Chair for the Committee of Eastern
steadfast maintenance specialist for archeparchy since 2008
+Brother Felix Nowakowski, OFM
decision to leave the ministry at Archbishop Ryan High School in 2008, Felix began a new phase in his religious life and work. He was granted permission to assume the ministry of building and grounds maintenance for the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh under Archbishop +Basil M. Schott. He was graciously welcomed to live with the Friars of the Province of St. John the Baptist at Holy Name Friary, Pittsburgh. During the last several years of his life, Felix began to suffer a number of health problems that caused him physical setbacks, but these did not deter his drive to continue his work with the Archeparchy. On Dec. 2, Brother Felix was admitted to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh after suffering a stroke. Although stabilized, he continued to suffer a series of strokes and was admitted to the intensive care unit. Brother Felix fell asleep in the Lord at AGH on Sunday, December 6, 2015, in the 70th year of his life and the 50th year of his religious profession. He is survived by sisters Mercedes Nowakowski, Lucy Wagner, Marie Nowakowski and the brothers of the Assumption BVM Province. A memorial service with was celebrated by Brother Felix’s Franciscan brothers with a Panachida led by Archbishop William Skurla Friday evening, Dec. 11 at Holy Family Friary Chapel in Pittsburgh’s Bellevue neighborhood. The Funeral Mass took place in Erie Saturday morning, Dec. 12, at St. Luke Church. Interment was at Mary Queen of Peace Mausoleum, also in Erie. n May God grant his servant Brother Felix blessed repose and Eternal Memory!
retired priest of the archeparchy, former judicial vicar
+Rev. Richard Whetstone, JCOL
Canon Law in Compilation of Handbook of Comparative Sacramental Discipline. Prior to his priesthood, he taught at St. James Catholic School and SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic School in Warren. From 1966 to 1968, Father Richard served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and was stationed in Germany. Father Richard was preceded in death by his parents; sister Lucy Valot; brother James; sisterin-law Mary Ellen Whetstone; brother-in-law Mike Borawiec; and niece Michelle Borawiec. Surviving are one sister, Mary Lu Borawiec of Cortland; three brothers, William (Mary) of Howland, Robert (Kathy) of Cortland and Dennis (Patty) of Bristolville; a brother-in-law, Robert Valot; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation and Parastas for a Priest were held Thursday Dec. 3 at SS. Peter and Paul Church, where the Funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated Friday morning Dec. 4. Interment followed at All Souls Cemetery. n May God grant to His servant the Priest Richard blessed repose and Eternal Memory!
Directory Assistance To find information on-line for churches in the Archeparchy, go to www.archpitt.org and click on “Directories” on the drop-down
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 20, 2015
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Very Reverend Archpriest Dennis M. Bogda, Rector
CHANCERY
Schedule of Services - Christmas 2015
Thursday, December 24 - Vigil, Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Eve 10:00 a.m. 7:45 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
Christmas Office of Readings (Royal Hours) Singing of Christmas Hymns and Carols Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great
Friday, December 25 - Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Day 10:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Saturday, December 26 - Commemorating the Mother of God and Joseph 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
Divine Liturgy Vigil Divine Liturgy
Sunday, December 27 - Feast of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist | 210 Greentree Road | Munhall, PA 15120 | 412-461-0944 View services LIVE on the web at www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com
will be CLOSED for the Christmas holydays Dec. 24 & 25 (Thursday & Friday)
as well as Dec. 31 (Thursday) Jan. 1, 2016 (Friday) and Jan. 6 (Wednesday) The Chancery’s regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 412-231-4000
Christos Raždajetsja! Slavite Jeho!
Christ is Born! Glorify Him! dates to remember december 20 Archieparchial Choir Christmas Program: ‘Born of Mary’ St. John the Baptist Cathedral - Munhall, Pa. december 24 - 25 Vigil and Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ CHANCERY CLOSED december 27 Feast of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen december 31 New Year’s Eve CHANCERY CLOSED january 1 Circumcision of our Lord and Feast of St. Basil the Great CHANCERY CLOSED january 6 Feast of Theophany CHANCERY CLOSED See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
the byzantine catholic world
Byzantine Catholic Press Associates - The BCW
Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
e-mail: bcw@archpitt.org web: www.archpitt.org
next issue DATE: JANUARY 17, 2016
submissions DEADLINE: JANUARY 5, 2016 See page 2 for important new BCW publication information.